System and method for modular dynamically adjustable capacity storage

A system for modular dynamically adjustable capacity storage for a vehicle, comprising:

• a battery pack including:
• a plurality of battery cells including a first set of four battery cells, a second set of four battery cells, and a third set of four battery cells with each of the plurality of battery cells including a battery cell voltage of 12 Volts;
• at least one negative terminal including a chassis ground connection;
• and
• a first positive battery pack terminal, a second positive battery pack terminal, and a third positive battery pack terminal, wherein the at least one negative terminal and the first, second, and third positive battery pack terminals are useful for connecting at least one electrical circuit through the battery pack;
• a battery cell switching system, including a plurality of solid-state switches connected to each of the battery cells, wherein the plurality of solid-state switches is operable to:
• selectively connect a portion of the battery cells in parallel to provide electrical energy at 12 Volts;
• selectively connect the portion of the battery cells in series to provide electrical energy at 48 Volts;
• and
• selectively connect one of the plurality of battery cells to one of the first, second, or third positive battery pack terminals;
• and
• a computerized battery cell switching controller operable to:
• determine an operating mode for the vehicle;
• and
• control the battery cell switching system based upon the operating mode, wherein the computerized battery cell switching controller includes a processing device having an interlock logic module configured to monitor open circuit voltages for individual battery cells and avoid parallel connections between battery cells with battery voltages that differ by more than a predetermined threshold voltage.

A method for modular dynamically adjustable capacity storage in a vehicle, comprising:

• utilizing a battery pack including a plurality of battery cells to provide electrical energy to the vehicle through a negative chassis ground connection and one of a plurality of positive battery pack terminals;
• and
• controlling a battery cell switching system including a plurality of solid-state switches attached to each of the plurality of battery cells, wherein the plurality of solid-state switches is operable to:
• selectively connect a portion of the battery cells in parallel;
• selectively connect the portion of the battery cells in series;
• and
• selectively connect one of the plurality of battery cells to one of the plurality of positive battery pack terminals;
• and
• within a computerized battery cell switching controller, determining an operating mode of the vehicle;
• and
• controlling the battery cell switching system based upon the operating mode, wherein the computerized battery cell switching controller includes a processing device having an interlock logic module configured to monitor open circuit voltages for individual battery cells and avoid parallel connections between battery cells with battery voltages that differ by more than a predetermined threshold voltage.